This year, J-Pride celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of creating community spaces for Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities across Minnesota. To mark this milestone, J-Pride will debut a band and a parade vehicle to enhance accessibility.
J-Pride, a program under Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minnesota (JCFS), hosts year-round programming for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies. J-Pride Coordinator Hunter Wengersky explains that during Pride Month, they “ramp up” their efforts by providing community celebrations and volunteer opportunities.
This year’s Pride events include Pride Shabbat, a Pride Tot Shabbat for children, and a booth at the Twin Cities Pride Festival and Parade. For Wengersky, it is of utmost importance to create spaces where people can embrace both parts of their identities.
“We don’t want people to have to leave behind either of their identities when celebrating Pride with us,” they said.
Similarly, Rabbi Heather Renetzky, Mount Zion Temple’s director of congregational engagement, echoed a similar sentiment.
“I think it’s really important for queer Jewish folks to be able to see themselves in the tradition in really explicit ways,” Renetzky said.
Wengersky explained that outside of the Jewish community, many LGBTQ+ individuals experience religious trauma. Wengersky believes that one of the biggest misconceptions is that Judaism is unwelcoming of LGBTQ+ identities.
“People assume religious trauma is the same everywhere,” they said. “But across many Jewish denominations, there is really strong support for LGBTQ+ identities.”
This year’s programming is especially important to J-Pride, as they want to create joy after a tumultuous year.
“We wanted to create spaces where people could rest, experience joy, and renewal,” Wengersky said.
Furthermore, Wengersky encourages allies to take an active role this year by showing their support for both Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities.
“People can’t be passive allies anymore,” said Wengersky. “Show up to events, support your community, and call out homophobia and transphobia when you see it.”
St. Mark’s Cathedral hosts Pride Shabbat on June 27 at 10 a.m. and Tot Shabbat at 9 a.m. The Pride parade, featuring a Klezmer Tantshoyz (Dance Party), will take place on June 28, where J-Pride will gather at 10:15 a.m. J-Pride is still looking for volunteers to work at their booth for the parade. More information can be found on the Pride Hub.